Why do I always pick the wrong job?

7th Feb 2022

It's a difficult pill to swallow when you realize, you're in the wrong job. However, you’re not the only one.

According to Karen Elizaga, career consultant and author of Find Your Sweet Spot, "choosing the incorrect job is not uncommon," it's not always easy to tell the difference between a bad position and a bad career. If you're unhappy and you know it, but you're not sure if you need a new job or a different career path, keep reading to learn what the wrong career looks like and what you can do if you discover you need to change.

So, what are the signs that you are in the wrong career? Let’s discover!

Your potential is being wasted: You desire a job that utilizes your talents while avoiding your weaknesses. As a result, "when you don't utilize any of your strengths," Crawford adds, "your profession isn't gratifying or fulfilling," and it may not be the right fit for you.

You have stopped Learning: In the pre-digital era, it was discovered that on-the-job training accounted for 70% of your learning. Today, the percentage has dropped to 10%. Learning is not a commodity to be taken lightly in the age of globalization and a transforming economy. If you find yourself not learning any new skills in your job, you’re limiting how competitive you can be, so you know you’re in the wrong job.

Money is your only reward: Do you get paid well but feel trapped, stressed out, or just lack the motivation you used to have for the job? Let's face it: money is good, and there's nothing wrong with having alike for it. But if you're solely in it for the money, you're in the wrong job!

You get feedback that demands you to be different than better: If what you’re told to do stretches you, challenges you, and demands more of you and It feels like it is asking you to be someone else, you know you’re in the wrong job.

You only do the bare minimum: You only do what is requested of you. You rarely take the initiative or volunteer for tasks outside of your direct sphere of influence. You're rather inactive; you come in, perform your work, and leave. You're bored, irritated, and find it difficult to be engaged in anything other than what's essential to get paid.

However, being in the wrong job is not the end of the world. There are many ways in which you can get back in the right direction. Read on to know what you can do after you have realised that you are in the wrong job:

Discover your passion: Take some time to figure out what makes you tick before jumping into another dead-end career. Examine your passions in further depth, as well as how your skills and experiences match with them. Asking your friends, a mentor, or a career coach for their perceptions of your interests and what they’ve noticed that you enjoy doing and reflecting on yourself can be a great way to discover your passion.

Get the Inside Scoop: Don't merely apply for the job. Take it to the next level. Use your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media connections to find out who you know at the company. Inquire about the organization as a whole, as well as the job in particular. A good recruiter should also be able to offer further insights not found on the job spec.

Try Contracting: Going freelance can help you increase your earnings, flexibility, autonomy and variety as well gain more experience, faster. It’s also exciting as every job presents a different set of challenges. Contract work also has a built-in exit strategy and allows you to experience what it’s like in different companies, industries and work cultures.

Work out your top 10 jobs criteria: Make a personal wish list of the qualities you want in your dream employment, including the kind of people you enjoy working with, the types of results you want to achieve, and the organisation's working style. Then add in your values and what is important to you? Look for a job and company that meet at least six of the ten requirements.

Speak to a professional: If you suspect that you’re in the wrong job, it is worthwhile to speaking to a specialist recruiter. It can help you better understand your strengths, help you access a wider range of opportunities and a employer that better fit your aspirations. For example, here at Pivotal, we have access to over 100 different employers which means we can help you find your ideal role in the most hassle-free way.

Finding the right job may necessitate keeping an open mind. Your ideal job could change over time; for example, temporary or project-based positions could lead to a permanent position. This suggests that such opportunities should not be dismissed out of hand because you can end up in your dream job through an unexpected route.

Being open to all possibilities provides you the best chance to advance your career and learn new skills – and, in the end, it all helps you find the perfect job for you.

If you are still unsure about your current job or you’re looking to change your career path, consider contacting our Director- David Terry at David@pivotallondon.co.uk to gain more clarity.